Even the Australian ABC Is Swamped With Customer Complaints Over Jimmy Kimmel Suspension

Last week, Disney CEO Bob Iger’s decision to indefinitely suspend Jimmy Kimmel Live! in response to public threats from FCC Chairman Brendan Carr sparked a political and PR storm so powerful that there is even some thunder down under.

On the same day that Carr called for ABC and its affiliates to “take action” on Kimmel regarding his comments about President Donald Trump’s reaction to the murder of Charlie Kirk, telling the TV giant, “We can do this the easy way or the hard way,” local TV giants Nexstar and the Sinclair Broadcast Group announced that they would pre-empt Jimmy Kimmel Live! shortly before Iger pulled the plug entirely. This unprecedented move by the federal government to intimidate broadcasters into silencing critics of the President sent shockwaves throughout the American media industry, and a couple of aftershocks have somehow reached the other side of the globe where the Australian Broadcasting Corporation has fielded hundreds of complaints about the importance of free speech and the free press in regards to Jimmy Kimmel.

Critically, and despite sharing an acronym with the Disney-owned American channel ABC, the Australian public service broadcaster has no affiliation with Iger, Nexstar or the FCC and has played no part in the silencing of Kimmel on American television — but that hasn’t stopped ABC (AU) from publishing their favorite angry messages regarding Kimmel's cancellation.

While ABC (AU) bears no responsibility for the censorship of Kimmel in the American media, the Australian news outlet is taking the complaints over his ousting seriously, even if they know that their reception of such messages from incensed Americans is obviously an accident. “It’s not clear if these complaints the ABC is receiving are representative of those the U.S. ABC is receiving, but it’s clear members of its audience aren’t happy with the decision,” ABC (AU) wrote of the misguided missives.

ABC (AU) provided select examples of what the hundreds of complainants are saying to the Australian network, including one that read, “Does the constitution have no meaning to you? First Amendment is freedom of speech, seems you can use it, but if someone disagrees with your views or shall I call it with the present administration. Oh wait can’t forget money. Shame.”

Australia does not have a Bill of Rights or constitutionally enshrined protections on free speech, but ABC (AU) still supports those institutions in America.

“Free speech!!!! Unfortunately it seems to me you have been bought, and I will not continue to watch your network!” wrote another irate complainer, who has likely never once watched a program on ABC (AU). “If you continue to silence people who disagree with you then we will be left with fake news only. Why tune in for that?!?! Good bye.”

Concerningly, however, ABC (AU) has also received a small number of write-ins that commended the channel for its supposed role in taking Kimmel off of American television. “Although I never watch ABC (not ever), I appreciate that you had the good sense to boot Kimmel,” one American wrote to ABC (AU), accidentally achieving a likely half-truth.

But ultimately, even journalists on the other side of the world understand what’s at stake when a federal government attempts to disrupt democracy and takes steps to institute state-run media, and they want to help their American friends in their fight for free speech. The ABC (AU) closed the article with the advice, “For those wanting to provide feedback about the decision to axe Jimmy Kimmel Live!, the contact form for the U.S. ABC can be found here.”